Characteristics and management of municipal solid waste in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract Increased urbanization and population lead to increased consumption of manufactured goods. This ultimately results in increased production of waste. Identifying its composition is crucial for planning an effective solid waste management strategy. This study assesses the characteristics and composition of the waste generated in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria, to aid in developing a scientifically supported waste management pilot system for the state. Direct waste sorting and characterization was conducted on the municipal solid waste arriving at the landfill during the study period. Over 50% of the generated waste are recyclables and composed of plastics, metals and paper, while the fraction of organic waste is over 30%. Similarly, the waste generation forecast over the next ten years presents an estimated increase of approximately 50%. Additionally, over 9,000 surveys were completed by residents to establish a problem statement about the existing waste collection and disposal system, and possible solutions. Importantly, a majority of survey respondents were willing to source-separate their wastes and supported paying a fee for adequate waste collection. This strongly indicates that an integrated waste management system could be established to generate value from the collected waste. Supplementary revenue can be generated through composting, recycling, and land reclamation.